Tensions high in South Dallas following fatal police shooting

Hundreds massed outside Dixon’s Grocery a block or two from where the dead man lay face down in a field.

While police had not released his identity or any details of the shooting, the crowds thought they know who it was.

Sandra Harper said her son, James Harper, 31, sold marijuana out of a house in the neighborhood. “I lost my son over a bag of damn weed,” she said. “I knew it was going to happen but I didn’t know when.”

She and at least a dozen family members wailed and screamed at a line of SWAT officers carrying assault rifles.

When the police said nothing in return, Sandra Harper and her daughter walked crying up Dixon Street trying to find the body. They only met more police.

Police from throughout the city have been called to the scene in South Dallas.

Television reports indicate that some people at the scene have been seen carrying guns.

The shooting appears to be the latest in a string of deadly encounters this year involving Dallas police officers and armed men.

Before today, there had been 13 shootings by Dallas police, matching the total for all of last year. Seven have been fatal. There were 18 shootings in 2010 and 17 in 2009.
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UPDATE 6:25 p.m.

Staff writer Avi Selk reports that one person is dead following an officer-involved shooting in South Dallas.

Witnesses say a man was shot while running from police near the intersection of Dixon Avenue and Bourquin Street.

The nearby scene is tense, with dozens of officers, some with riot gear, standing in front of a group of angry residents.

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Dallas police are responding to reports of an officer-involved shooting in South Dallas.

It’s unclear how many people were injured in the shooting reported shortly after 5 p.m.

Police have called for two ambulances in the area near Dixon Avenue and Bourquin Street.

We have a reporter en route and will update as we can.

UPDATE at 5:40 P.M.:

This just in from Dallas police officials:

Moments ago there was a police involved shooting in SE Dallas on Bourguin Street. Preliminary reports are that no officers have been injured. We will post further information once the scene is completely secured and Special Investigative Unit personnel have conducted their preliminary investigation.

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